Youth awards

Youth members from the Scouting program phases may earn various awards.

Advancement awards are earned by completing requirements along a set advancement trail that may include other ranks or awards. Examples of advancement awards include the Arrow of Light Award and the Venturing Gold Award.

Special opportunity awards are the other awards not part of a program advancement trail that recognizes the youth member for achievements in a field of interest, service, activity or other accomplishment. Examples of special opportunities awards include the William T. Hornaday Award, BSA Lifeguard, or a religious emblem.

The Cub Scouter Award is available to any leader, while the Tiger Cub Den Leader Award, Cub Scout Den Leader Award, Webelos Den Leader Award and the Cubmaster Award are available to those who have held the respective positions. These awards are recognized by a certificate and an embroidered square knot insignia. (Medallions for most awards were discontinued in 2001.)

Series awards

These awards are part of a series used in several of the BSA programs.

Background

Shortly after the National Eagle Scout Association was established in 1972, it began to make available a NESA Scoutmaster Award. The award was presented to one Scoutmaster per BSA area each year. These Scoutmasters' records demonstrated proper use of Boy Scout advancement, and a significant number of their Boy Scouts attained the Eagle Scout rank. This award was discontinued on December 31, 1987.

The president of the Boy Scouts of America requested that NESA convert its award into a Scoutmaster Award of Merit that could be earned by all Scoutmasters. His rationale was that there is a need for recognizing Scoutmasters relatively early in their work in that position, before they qualify for the Scouter's Key.

Requirements

The nominee need not be an Eagle Scout but must:

1. Be a currently registered Scoutmaster who has served in that position for at least 18 months.

2. Have achieved the Quality Unit Award at least once during the period of service.

Procedure

The nomination is certified by the unit commissioner and forwarded to the local council service center.

The nomination should be approved by the Scout executive and either the council NESA chair or the council commissioner.

The Scout executive will forward the nomination to the director of the National Eagle Scout Association at the national office.

Award

A full-color certificate will be provided by NESA free of charge. A cost of $1.50 per certificate will be charged for a certificate with the recipient's name laser-printed. Payment should accompany the order.

The National Eagle Scout Association will send the certificates to the Scout executive via pouch mail. Please allow two to four weeks for turnaround time.

A full-color, 6-inch jacket patch, No. 00147, is available through the Supply Division.

A square knot (white on tan) for the uniform, No. 05001, is available through the Supply Division.

Presentations

The award may be presented at an appropriate chartered organization or unit function with acknowledgment at a district or council event or at a district or council recognition event.

Note: Nominees may earn the Scoutmaster Award of Merit one time only.

See also

Additional Recognition for Varsity Scout leaders

Adult Varsity leaders may earn the Varsity Letter and Varsity Scout Activity Pins. They meet the same requirements as the youth and must also complete Fast Start and Basic Leader Training (New Leader Essentials and Varsity Coach Leader Specific Training), attend six Varsity Roundtables, and complete a minimum of six months tenure.

Additional Recognition for Commissioners

In addition to the Series awards mentioned above, commissioners can also earn the:

Recognizes outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for youth from rural or low-income urban backgrounds.

Recognizes outstanding services by an adult individual or an organization for demonstrated involvement in the development and implementation of Scouting opportunities for Hispanic American/Latino youth.